Rooney backs England to bounce back

Mar 28, 2013 3:06 PM GMT

Share

this page

England forward Wayne Rooney believes the side will learn from the mistakes made during Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Montenegro.

Roy Hodgson's men looked set to cruise to victory after the Manchester United forward handed them a sixth-minute lead in Podgorica, but the visitors were forced to hold on after conceding a late equaliser.

However, the 27-year-old believes the setback will stand England in good stead for the rest of their qualifying campaign - with three of their four remaining games at Wembley Stadium.

"We still have a great chance of qualification," Rooney told reporters. "It was a lesson for us in the second half and we need to learn how to see out these games better.

"You can't regret anything. It's just the way the game's gone and we have to accept it. A point was probably a fair result though we're disappointed we didn't get three.

"But credit to Montenegro, they came back, had a go and put us under a lot of pressure, especially off the set-pieces."

Rooney's goal against the Montenegrins was his 35th for England and sixth in his last five games at international level, and the former Everton star expressed delight with his form.

He added: "I'm enjoying my football. It's been probably my best run since I've been playing for England."